UNION COUNTY, Ga – Union County residents can now receive emergency alerts using the CodeRED notifications services.

“It’s got a lot more features and it’s got an app you can use. The best thing about it is citizens can sit down and choose the alerts they want instead of having to let us do it,” explained Union County Fire Chief and EMA Director David Dyer.

To sign up, visit the CodeRED website or text UCALERTS to 99411. Once registers, users can customize their alert settings and preferred method of notification. The service is free and all personal information will be kept confidential.

The CodeRED app is available in the Apple and Google Play store. The system delivers text, emails, and phone calls to cell or home phones.

Several Georgia counties use CodeRED as an emergency alert system. The previous system in use by Union County was 15 years old and considered outdated.

Those signed up for the old system will still receive updates from CodeRED. However, Union County EMA (UCEMA) requests that everyone update their information on CodeRED.

CodeRED sends immediate action alerts such as a boil-water notice, missing child, weather emergency, or evacuation notice.

Weather warnings are also available and will automatically notify citizens in the path of severe weather just moments after National Weather Service issues a warning. UCEMA also uses CodeRED to send EMERGENCY notifications to keep citizens informed of emergencies such as evacuation notices, fires, floods, chemical spills, or other emergency situations.

General notifications pertaining to planned road closures, water main repairs, water and power service interruptions, and others will be delivered through the service. To receive these alerts, select “General” upon registration.

The mobile alert app provides community and emergency alerts to individuals targeted within an impacted geographical area via your smartphone anywhere in the country.